Sheet holder



G. J. PIERRE April 18, 1961 SHEET HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1958 FIGJ.

FIG.3.

FIG.4.

INVENTOR. GERALD OHN PIERRE BY f ATTO RNEYS so H6 5.

G. J. PIERRE April 18, 1961 2 t e e h S S t e e h S 2 R E D L o H T m 8 5 9 1 4 l o N d e l 1 F I Ilillulllllll FIG.I5.

INVENTOR.

GERAL JOHN PIERRE ATTORNEYS United States Patent snnnr HOLDER Gerald John Pierre, 31707 s. River Road, Mount Clemens, Mich.

Filed Nov. 14, 1958, Set. No. 773,954

32 Claims. c1. 5-320 This invention relates generally to a sheet holder and refers more specifically to a device for maintaining sheets or other similar articles of bedclothing in a customarily desired position on a bed so that they will be held more surely in the desired position and if displaced will more readily and easily be returned to the desired position.

Bed making is an endless chore for a housekeeper. This is especially true in institutions such as hospitals and hotels where the provision of sleepingrooms and beds is a major part of the service offered. The need for an efficient, economical means for reducing the time and energy required to make a bed has long been recognized. Devices such as the well known contour sheets have partially solved this need by providing a bottom sheet which is held in tension and which therefore requires little smoothing or positioning after the initial installation thereof. In the interest of saving labor it would be desirable to hold all the bedclothing in the desired position on a bed. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide means to initially arrange the bedclothes in position swiftly and without the energy consuming labor which heart specialists rate as one of the most exhausting chores confronting the housewife. Also, for greatest efiiciency it should be possible to tension and position bedclothing from either side thereof with equal ease. Prior devices such as the above mentioned contour sheets have generally failed to meet these requirements. In applicants co-pending application, Serial Number 426,976, May 3, 1954, entitled Sheet Holder, now Patent No. 2,860,352, issued November 18, 1958, a device meeting the above requirements is disclosed. The present invention is an improvement on applicants previous device.

One of the essential objects of the present invention is to provide a means for holding articles of bedclothing under tension in a desired position.

Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for securing a plurality of articles'of bedclothing on a bed so that they will not be displaced from the desired position when tension is applied thereto.

Another object is to provide means to secure an article of bedclothing on a bed so that it will not be displaced when tension is applied to said article, said means.

being equally efiicient when used with either face of said article of bedclothing turned up.

Another object is to provide means to secure an article of bedclothing on a bed which will allow the article of bedclothing to be initially placed on the bed with either face up.

Another object is to provide a holder for articles of bedclothing which greatly facilitates and speeds up the making and changing of a bed and reduces the need for daily remaking of the bed and the cifort required in replacing the bedclothing in the desired position. 4

Another object is to provide a means for ready removal of soiled bed sheets and other bedclothing and easily attaching the replacement sheets without a single corner of the mattress.

Another object is to provide a holding means for articles of bedclothing which is readily adjustable for different sizes of bedclothing and for different sizes and thicknesses of mattresses and springs.

Another object is to provide an article of bedclothing with a separate or special hem capable of receiving a batten therein in a manner allowing the batten to be securely held so as'to prevent displacement of the article of bedclothing due to stress resulting in lengthwise tension being applied thereto.

Another object is to provide a batten for insertion in a special hem onan article of bedclothing including rings attached to said batten, coplanar thereto and outboard of the batten on the same side thereof, and diagonal corners'on said batten to facilitate the insertion of the rings on the batten into eyelets or buttonholes in the special hem.

Another object is to provide on an article of bedclothing a special or separate hem having eyelets or buttonholes in a longitudinal fold line thereof and also having diagonal stitching on opposite ends on different sides thereof, the stitching cooperating with a batten having diagonal corners on the ends thereof to cam or direct the batten toward the longitudinal fold line in the hem thereby guiding rigid rings, which are attached to the batten with metal loops, into the buttonholes in the hem when the batten is inserted in the side of the hem or bore on either side of the article of bedclothing.

Another object is to provide means to modify the existing hem or torn end of a sheet or other article of bedclothing so that a holding device can be applied thereto without a special hem being attached to said sheet or article of bedclothing, including two buttonholes formed in the longitudinal fold line of the standard hem or a'fold line formed in the article of bedclothing adjacent the torn end, means for providing easy insertion of a batten assembly in the standard hem or the hem formed by folding the end of an article of bedclothing from either side of the sheet or article of bedclothing, and diagonal stitching to cam the batten toward said eyelets.

These and other objects of the invention and novel details of construction will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a bed having several articles of bedclothing applied thereto which are secured in position thereon by holding means according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the bed of Figure 1, illustrating in greater detail the holding means of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a broken end view of part of the holding means shown in side view in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the track element shown in Figure 3 as part of the holding means.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the track element shown in Figure 4 taken on line 55.

Figure 6 is a side view of one embodiment of the sliding member of the holding means of the present invention. Figure 7 is a top view of the sliding member shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the sliding member of the present invention and is indicated attached to the holding means of the present invention in Figures 1, 2 and 3. V

Figure 9 is a top view of the sliding member shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a broken plan view of an article of bedclothing having a special hem thereon according to this invention. f

tension forces applied thereto.

3 clothing having a special hem thereon; the hem is shown partially broken away to better illustrate a batten inserted within the separate hem, all according to the present invention.

Figure 127is a invention.

Figure 13 is an edge this invention.

Figure 14 is a cross-section of the hem in Figure taken on the line 14-44.

Figure is a cross-section of the hem with ,a batten inserted in one side thereof of Figure 12 taken along the line 15- -15. 7

Figure 16is across section of thehem with a batten inserted in one side thereof of Figure 12 taken along the line 16-16. V

' Figure 17 is a perspective view of the special hem and batten of the present invention showing the article of bedclothing cut away to emphasize the manner in which the batten is insertedwithin the special hem between one side plan view of a batten according to this "of the separate hem and the article of bedclothing.

According to the present invention means are provided view of the batten according to :to .maintain'an article of bedclothing in a desired position on a bed. A special or separate hem 2 is provided on the article of bedclothing 4. The separate hem 2 is provided with diagonal stitching 6 and 7 on the inside corners thereof and eyelets or button-holes 8 in the outermostilongitndinal foldline 10 thereof. A batten 12 having anchoring straps 14 on the ends thereof which rigidly support ringsl16atone side of the batten is provided for insertion in the hem 2. Diagonal corners 18 on the bat- .ten ,12 coact with the diagonal stitching 6 and 7 on the special hem 2 to cam one end of the batten 12 toward the longitudinal fold line 10 on the hem 2 thereby guiding the ring 16 at that end of the batten into the associated buttonhole 8 when batten 12 is inserted within hem 2. The diagonal stitching 6 and 7 also prevents the batten '12 from'being pushed out of the bore of the hem. A

holding device generally shown at 20 is provided at the foot only or the head and foot of bed 22 located usually between bedsprings 24 and mattress 26. The rings 16 on batten 12 are held securely by stud members 34 of holding device 20. The article of bedclothing 4 is thereby .held by the specialhem 2 in association with the batten '12 and holding device 20 from movement due to normal .This construction has the advantage ofiallowing fast and eflicient changing and making of a bed. It is economical, in use because shorter sheets may be used since they do not have to be tucked in. Alsothe invention can be installed on existing beds and sheets or removed therevfrom with little expense and no damage.

Referring particularly to Figure 1 a bed generally indicated as 22 is illustrated. The bed shown has vertical head and foot boards 30 and 32 respectively and a horizontal member 31 supporting the usual bed spring 24 and mattress 26. The head and foot boards are not necessary and in fact the invention is more easily practiced on a Hollywood type of bed. Articles of bedclothing 4 which may be mattress covers, sheets, blankets, counterpanes, or other articles are shown positioned on bed 22. The bedclothing as shown has special hems 2 attached thereto to provide for battens 12' to be inserted therein. Rings 16 on said battens protrude through buttonholes 8 in hems 7 2. A holding device 20 is shown inserted between springs 24 and mattress 26 at each end of bed 22. Tension memthe unhemmcd edge of article of bedclothing 4 by stitch ing 38 in the manner best shown in Figures 10 and 14l6 so that the hem 37 of the article of bedclothing is between sides 35 and 36 of hem 2. The outermost longitudinal fold line 10 of hem 2 is positioned to essentially coincide with the outermost edge 39 of article of bedclothing 4.

As shown it is desirable that end hem 37 or the unhemmed edge of the article of bedclothing 4 extend beyond the ends of special hem 2. This construction allows efficient insertion of batten 12 into special hem 2. A person may grip hem 37 in such a way that the forefinger of one hand would be under hem 37 at the near or adjacent end of the special hem 2. By turning the outer portion of hem 37 down slightly and simultaneously raising the forefinger of said one hand under hem 37, the upper bore of special hem 2 is slightly opened to permit easy entrance of batten 12 which is held in the other hand. 7 g V The. hem 2 is provided with diagonal stitching 6 and 7 at the inside corners thereof on sides 35 and 36 respectively as shown in Figure 10. The diagonal stitching 6 and 7 is provided on only one inside corner on each side 35 and 36 of hem 2, the stitching being on opposite is alsoleft open for thesame reason. The hem '2 thereby forms with bedclothing 4 and stitching 6 and 7 bores 40 and 41 between sides 35 and 36 respectively of hem 2 andlarticle of bedclothing 4. The bores 40 and 41 are open at opposite ends and have diagonal stitching 6 and 7 respectively closing the other ends thereof allowing insertion of batten 12 between hem 2 and bedclothing 4 from either side of bedclothing 4. Diagonal stitching 6 and 7 also limits the travel of the batten 12 and prevents the batten from passing completely through the bores.

Hem 2 is also provided with a pair of eyelets or button- 'holes 8. in the longitudinal fold line 19 near the ends there- V straps ,14 r are of. Stitching 42 is provided on both ends of button holes 8 extendingthrongh bedclothing 4 and hem 2 to fix 'the hem andlbedclothing in relation to each other. The

stitching 6 and 7 and buttonholes 8 are in such relation with each other and with the rings on batten 12 that when batten 12 is. inserted into hem 2, batten 12 is cammed toward longitudinal fold line 10 of hem 2 by the action of stitching 6 m7 on diagonal corners 18 of the batten whereby rings '16 are inserted in buttonholes 8 without requiring special positioning, thus reducing the time required to position the batten 12 in hem 2. Buttonholes 8 may be entered by rings 16 from either side of bedclothing 4. I

Batten 12 is afiat elongated member made of metal,

plastic, wood or other suitable material. The batten 12 60 as shown in Figures l2 and 13 has anchor straps 14 mounted on the ends thereof. The straps 14 rigidly support rings 16 outboard of one edge .of batten 12. The positioned so that the rings 16 fit into buttonholes 8 as above mentioned. Straps 14 are attached to batten 12 by indenting the straps 14 on each side of batten 12- by a punching operation. The indentations shown at 44 in the drawings on straps 14 are impressed in the straps. after they. have been positioned over holes provided in batten 12. The holes in batten 12 provide a pivot point for straps 14 onthe battens. The attachmerit of straps 14 to batten 12 with indentations 44 is -loosecnough tonprovide slight pivotal movement of the .straps with respect to theholes in batten 12 so that rings 16 may be'adjus'ted a small amount laterally to .fit .over stud members 34 on holding device 20.

The corners of batten 12 on the side opposite the rings 16 are shaped to provide diagonal corners 18. The diagonal corners 18 cooperate with diagonal stitching 6 or 7 in the manner previously set forth to cam batten 12 toward longitudinal fold line 10 of hem 2 when the batten 12 is inserted in hem 2 as shown in Figure 11.

The device 20 consists of a vertical panel or wall 46 to which is aflixed at right angles a second panel 48 which is placed under the mattress or between the springs and the mattress or otherwise attached to the frame of the bed at the head and foot. Panels 46 and 48 extend for substantially the full width of mattress 26 and spring 24. A pair of adjusting tracks 50 are secured to the outer face of vertical panel 46. A sliding member 54 having a stud 34 onto which a ring 16 is placed is adjustably mounted on each of tracks 50. The sliding members 54 are adjustable to properly tension a bottom sheet to prevent crosswise wrinkles and to accommodate the holding means to varying lengths of bedclothing and to allow for shrinkage of the materials.

On the face 52 of the vertical panel 46 a pair of tracks 50 best shown in Figures 3, 4 and are provided. The tracks are shaped as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and have areas thereof removed to provide pockets 60 spaced longitudinally of the tracks 50 which act as stops for sliding members 54 mounted on the tracks. Tracks 50 are provided with suitable means 55 for attachment to face 52.

Two specific embodiments of sliding members 54 are shown, one in Figures 6 and 7 and the other in Figures 8 and 9. The sliding members illustrated are for alternative use.

In Figures 6 and 7 a sliding member 54 consisting of bracket 62, stud 34 and spring member 64 is illustrated. Bracket 62 is designed to be slidably mounted on track 54) as shown in Figure 2. Bracket 62 has spring member 64 attached thereto as shown in a convenient manner such as by riveting. Spring member 64 is formed in the shape illustrated so that as bracket 62 is moved along track 50 the free end 65 of spring member 64 will cam over pockets 60 in track 50. Bracket 62 is also provided with a substantially centrally located drilled and tapped opening 66. A stud 34 is screwed into opening 66 and extends substantially perpendicular to track 50 to receive ring 16 on batten 12.

Stud 34 on being screwed into opening 66 presses against spring member 64 looking the free end 65 of spring member 64 into whichever pocket 60 end 65' is associated with at the time thereby preventing sliding movement between bracket 62 and track 50. Stud 34 is provided with a knurled or serrated disk 67 secured thereto to tighten the threaded inner end of 34 against spring member 64 and thus to lock bracket or slide 62 in position relative to track 50 and to allow rings 16 to be positioned close to bracket 62 on stud 34. Stud 34 is further provided with end bumper 68 to prevent rings 16 from being accidentally removed from stud 34 and to prevent injury to persons coming into contact with the end of stud 34. A cord 69 is attached between a pair of bumpers 68 in an installation as shown in Figure 3 to prevent loss or" a bumper should it accidentally be dropped and to provide quick recovery of bumper 68 should it fall on the floor and bounce under the bed.

In Figures 8 and 9 a sliding member 54 including a bracket 62 and stud 34 in substantially the same relationship as they are in Figures 6 and 7 are illustrated. However, in Figures 8 and 9 opening 66 in bracket 62 is not threaded. Also no spring member 64 is provided on bracket 62. A long nut 70 is provided between bracket 62. and track 50 into which stud 34 may be screwed. End 71 of stud 34 in Figures 8 and 9 is of such length that it will extend into a pocket 60 when it is screwed into nut 70 until disk 67 makes contact with bracket 62. Sliding movement of bracket 62 and stud .34on track 50is thereby prevented.

in use holding devices 29 with tracks 59 and sliding members 54 mounted thereon are positioned as illustrated at the ends of bed 22. A sheet or other article of bedclothing 4 having a separate hem 2 thereon is positioned generally on bed 22. A batten 12 is inserted in hem 2 wtih rings 16 protruding therefrom. Rings 16 are placed on studs 34. Studs 34 are then positioned as desired along tracks St to provide a rigid support against which tension forces in the article of bedclothing may act. As shown in Figure 1 articles of bedclothing such as sheets may be similarly attached to holding devices at both ends of the bed. With the articles of bedclothing held in the above described manner making of the bed is reduced to smoothing the bedclothing connected at both ends and smoothing and possibly respreading the bedclothing connected only at one end.

The drawings and foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved sheet holder of this invention in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a hem along at least one edge of the article of bedclothing, said hem having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten removably inserted within said hem for maintaining said hem in a desired position, members attached to said batten and protruding through said buttonholes, and means engaging said members for releasably holding said'batten stationary relative to the bed.

2. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a remodeled standard hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing, said hem having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten removably inserted within said hem for maintaining said hem in a desired position, annular members attached to said batten and protruding through said buttonholes, and means engaging said annular members for releasably holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

3. The combination with a bed including a mattress having an article of bedclothing thereon of means for holding said article in position on said mattress, comprising a hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing, said hem having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten removably inserted within said hem for maintaining said hem in a desired position, members attached to said batten and protruding through said buttonholes, and means engaging said members for releasably holding said batten stationary relative to the mattress in close proximity to the mattress to provide against undue stresses on said batten and toprevent drafts between said mattress and batten.

4. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a special hem along I one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween and also having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, the longitudinal fold line of the special hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said special hem and having parts protruding through said buttonholes for maintaining said hem in a desired position and meansfor releasably holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

5. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a special hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothingincluded therehetionary relative to the bed.

tween and also having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, the longitudinal fold line of the special hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said special hem and having parts protruding through said buttonholes for maintaining said hem in a desired position, the customary hem of said arti cle of bedclothing extending beyond each end of said special hem providing means to grasp said article of bedclothing to facilitate inserting said batten in said special hem and means for releasably holding said batten sta- ,index finger so that manipulation of the thumb and index finger will cause the bore of the special hem to be readily manipulated too aid in the opening thereof, the longitudinal fold line of the special hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said special hem and having parts protruding through said buttonholes for maintaining said hem in a desired position and means for releasably holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

7. Thecombination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a special hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said special hem also having near each end a buttonhole in the longitudinal fold line thereof and diagonal stitching at one end thereof, the longitudinal 'fold line of the special hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, said diagonal stitching fastening one side of said special hem to the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said special hem and having parts protruding through said buttonholes for maintaining said hem in a desired position and means for releasably holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

8. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising bores formed on both sides of one edge of said article of bedclothing, said bores being open at opposite ends and having diagonal stitching across the other ends extending through a single bore and the article of bedclothing, buttonholes common to both bores formed in the outermost edges thereof, a batten adapted to be removably inserted in either of said bores and having rings rigidly attached thereto protruding through said buttonholes for releasable engagement. with means for holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

9. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said separate hem having near each end an eyelet in the longitudinal fold line thereof and also having diagonal stitching on one end on one side of said hem and on the opposite end on the other side of said hem, the diagonal stitching on each side of said separate hem fastening that side of the separate hem to the hem on the article of bedclothing, said longitudinal fold line of the separate hem coinciding with the outermost longi- Y tudinal fold line of the hem on the article of'bedclothing,

a batten removably inserted within said hem and pro.- truding through said eyelets for maintaining said hem in a desired position and means for holding said batten stationary relative to the bed.

, 10. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides 'with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said separate hem having near each end an eyelet in the longitudinal fold line thereof, said longitudinal fold line of the separate hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article 'of bedclothing, the edge of the hem on the articles of bedclothing and the edge of the separate hem being firmly'sewed together on both sides of both eyelets, said separate hem also having diagonal stitching on one end on one'side of said hem and on the opposite end on the other side of said hem, the diagonal stitching on each side of said separate hem fastening that side of the separatehem to the hem on the article of bedclothing, said diagonal stitching on the opposite ends of said hem converging toward the center of the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said hem and protruding through said eyelets for maintaining 'said hem in a desired position and means for holding said batten statonary relative to the bed.

7 A ll The combination with a bed having an article of 30 position on said bed, comprising a hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having buttonholes in the bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten removably inserted within said hem having annular members fixedly attached thereto and protruding through said buttonholes and means for'holding said annular members stationary relative to the bed.

12. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten member removably inserted within said hem having attached near the ends thereof straps which encircle said batten, said straps being provided with annular members mounted thereon and extending to one side of and in the plane of said batten and means for holding said batten stationary, said annular members being adapted to protrude through said buttonholes and attach to said means for holding said batten stationary whereby said hem is maintained in a desired position relative to the bed.

13. The combination with a bed having an article of bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween and also having eyelets in the longitudinal fold line and diagonal stitching on one end thereof, the other end of said separate hem being open, a batten member having attached near the ends thereof straps which encircle said batten, said straps being provided with rings mounted thereon which extend to one side of and in the plane of said batten, said batten member also having the corners on the side opposite the side from which the rings extend cut olf along a diagonal line so that when the batten member is inserted in the open end of said special hem with the side having the rings extending therefrom adjacent the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem one of the diagonally cut corners of said batten will engage the diagonal stitching at said one end whereby the batten is cammed toward the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem causing the rings to protrude through said eyelets and means engaging said rings for holding said batten stationary relative to said bed.

bedclothing thereon, of means for holding said article in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween and also having eyelets in the longitudinal fold line thereof and diagonal stitching on one end thereof, the other end of said separate hem being open, a batten member having attached near the ends thereof straps which encircle said batten, said straps being provided with rings mounted thereon which extend to one side of and in the plane of said batten, said batten member also having the corners on the side opposite the side from which the rings extend cut oif along a diagonal line so that when the batten member is inserted in the open end of said special hem with the side having the rings extending therefrom adjacent the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem one of the diagonally cut corners of said batten will engage the diagonal stitching at said one end whereby the batten is cammed toward the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem causing the rings to protrude through said eyelets and means engaging said rings for holding said batten stationary relative to said bed, said straps on which said rings are mounted being loosely attached to said batten whereby said rings may be positioned for engaging said last mentioned means.

15. In combination, a bed having a frame with a bed spring and a mattress supported thereon, an article of bedclothing supported on said mattress, and means for holding said article of bedclothing in position on said bed, comprising a hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having eyelets in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a batten removably inserted within said hem havjng rings rigidly mounted thereon protruding through said eyelets for maintaining said hem in a desired position and means for holding said batten stationary with respect to said bed including a rigid member held fixedly between the mattress and the bed spring, the rigid member including vertical tracks mounted thereon at the same spacing as said rings and also including studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof, said bracket adapted to attach to and be movable on said tracks so that said studs may be positioned at the proper height to engage said rings protruding from said hem and means for locking said studs at said proper height.

16. The structure in claim 15 including means to retain said rings on said studs comprising resilient bumpers secured to the free ends of said studs and a cord attached between two of said bumpers to prevent loss of one bumper should it he accidentally dropped.

17. The construction as set forth in claim 15 wherein said tracks have vertically spaced recesses therein and said studs are adapted to be screwed through said brackets and into said recesses thereby locking said studs at a predetermined height.

18. In combination, a bed having a frame with a bed spring and a mattress supported thereon, an article of bedclothing supported on said mattress, and means for holding said article of bedclothing in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said hem also having diagonal stitching at one end and eyelets in the longitudinal fold line thereof, the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem coinciding w'th the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten removably inserted within said hem having attached near the ends thereof straps which encircle said batten, the straps being provided with annular members mounted thereon and extend'ng to one side of and in the plane of said batten, said annular members being adapted to protrude through said eyelets and attach to means for holding said batten stationary including a rigid member held fixedly betweenthe mattress and the bed spring having vertical tracks mounted thereon at the same spacing as said eyelets and also including studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof, said bracket adapted to attach to and be movable on said tracks so that said studs may be positioned at the proper height to engage said annular members protruding from said hem and means for locking said studs at said proper height.

19. In combination, a bed having a frame with a bed spring and a mattress supported thereon, an article of bedclothing supported on said mattress, and means for holding said article of bedclothing in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said separate hem including near each end an eyelet in the longitudinal fold line thereof and also including diagonal stitching on one end on one side of said hem and on the opposite end on the other side of said hem, the diagonal stitching on the opposite ends of said separate hem converging toward the center of said article of bedclothing, said diagonal stitching on each side of said separate hem fastening that side of the separate hem to the article of bedclothing, said longitudinal fold line of the added hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten member having straps with rings mounted thereon attached near the ends thereof, said rings extending to one side of and in the plane of said batten, said batten member also having the corners on the side opposite the side from which the rings extend cut off along a diagonal line so that when the batten member is inserted in the end opposite the diagonal stitching on either side of said special hem with the side of the batten having the rings extending therefrom adjacent the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem one of the diagonally cut corners of said batten will engage the diagonal stitching. on said separate hem whereby the batten is cammed to-- ward the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem caus ing vthe rings to protrude through said eyelets and means engaging said rings for holding said batten stationary relative to said bed.

20. In combination, a bed having a frame with a bed spring and a mattress supported thereon, an article of bedclothing supported on said mattress, and means for holding said article of bedclothing in position on said bed, comprising a separate hem along one edge of the article of bedclothing having two sides with the hem of said article of bedclothing included therebetween, said separate hem including near each end an eyelet in the longitudinal fold line thereof and also including diagonal stitching on one end on one side of said hem and on the opposite end on the other side of said hem, the diagonal stitching on the opposite ends of said separate hem converging toward the center of said article of bedclothing, said diagonal stitching on each side of said separate hem fastening that side of the separate hem to the article of bedclothing, said longitudinal fold line of the added hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedclothing, a batten member having straps with rings mounted thereon attached near the ends thereof, said rings extending to one side of and in the plane of said batten, said batten member also having the corners on the side opposite the side from which the rings extend cut off along a diagonal line so that when the batten member is inserted in the end opposite the diagonal stitching on either side of said special hem with the side of the batten having the rings extending therefrom adjacent the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem one of the diagonally cut corners of said batten will engage the diagonal stitching on said separate hem whereby the batten is cammed toward the longitudinal fold line of the separate hem causing the rings to protrude through said eyelets and attach to means for holding said batten stationary relative to said bed including a rigid member held fixedly between the mattress and the bed spring having vertical tracks mounted thereon at the same spacing as said eyelets and also including studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof, said bracket adapted to attach to and be movable on said tracks so that said studs may be positioned at the proper height to engage said annular members protruding from said hem and means for locking said studs having its wide side in a vertical position whereby the major componentof the stress normally applied to the batten will be in a plane parallel to the major central plane of said batten.

22. The combination with a bed having an article of bedelothing thereon of means for holding said article in position on said bed in opposition to a force applied against said means having a vertical major component and a horizontal minor component, comprising a hem along one edge of the article of bedelothing having buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line thereof, a relatively thin fiat batten removably held within said hem and having parts protruding through said buttonholes for maintaining said hem in a desired position, the batten having its wide side in a vertical position whereby the major component of the stress normally applied to the batten will be in a plane parallel to the major central plane of said batten, a holding device for said batten, said batten being pressed against the near surface of said holding device by the minor component of the stress normally applied to the batten, said holding device preventing the twisting of said batten due to said minor .stress component.

23. The combination with a bed having an article of bedelothing thereon of means for holding said article in position on said bed, the article of bedclothing in assembly with the first mentioned means applying a force against said first mentioned means, the force having its major component vertically upward with respect to said bed and its minor component horizontal and generally toward the center of the bed, and means for neutralizing the horizontal component of force, said neutralizing means being located in a position to prevent, the bowing in a horizontal plane of said holding means and the subsequent twisting thereof by the major'force component acting on said holding means through a lever arm which would be provided therefor by said bowing.

24. The structure as in claim. 23 wherein said bed includes a mattress and said means for neutralizing the horizontal component of force is the end of-said mattress. 25 An article of bedelothing having a special hem along one edge thereof, said special hem having two sides of foldline of the special hem coinciding with the outermost longitudinal fold line of the hem on the article of bedelothing to form bores on each side of said edge between said articles of bedelothing and said sides of said special hem of substantially equal dimensions adapted to receive a batten therein.

27. An article of bedelothing having a special hem along one edge thereof, said special hem having two sides and a longitudinal fold line, the edge of said article of bedelothing being included between said two sides, and buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line of said special hem, the edge of said article of bedelothing extending'beyond each end of said special hem providing easy gripping means whereby said article of bedelothing maybe grasped between the thumb and index finger so 7 that manipulation of the thumb and index finger will cause the bore. of the special hem to be manipulated to aid in the opening thereof. I -28. An article of bedelothing having a special hem along one edge thereof, said special hem having two sides and a longitudinal fold line, the edge of said article of bedelothing being included between said two sides, and buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line of said special hem, said special hem also having diagonal stitching at one end thereof fastening one side of said special hem to the edge of the article of bedelothing.

29. An article of bedelothing having a special hem along one edge thereof, said special hem having two sides and a longitudinal fold line, the edge of said article of bedelothing being included between said' two sides, and buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line of said special hem, said special hem forming bores on both sides of said article of bedelothing, said bores being open at opposite ends and having diagonal stitching across the other ends extending through a single bore and the edge of the article of bedelothing, said buttonholes being common to both bores. t

30. A holding device comprising a rigid member adapted to be held in a fixed position between a mattress and a bedspring, vertically extending tracks mounted on said rigid member, and horizontally extending studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof which bracket is adapted to attach to and be movable vertically on said tracks.

31. A holding device comprising a rigid member adapted to be held in a fixed position between a mattress and a bedspring, vertically extending tracks mounted on said rigid member; horizontally extending'studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof which bracket is attached to and movable vertically on said tracks, and

' ineans for locking said studsto said tracks'in a predetersubstantially equal dimension anda longitudinal fold line, the edge of said article of bedelothing being included between said two sides, and buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line of said special hem. I

26. An article of bedelothing having a hem with an outermost longitudinal fold line and a special hem along one edge thereof, said special hem having two sides of substantially equal dimension and a longitudinal fold line, the edge of said article of bedelothing being included between said two sides, and buttonholes in the longitudinal fold line of said special hem, the longitudinal mined position.

32. A holding device comprising a rigid member adapted to be held in a fixed position between a mattress and a bedspring, vertically extending tracks mounted on said rigid member," and horizontally extending studs having a bracket mounted on one end thereof which bracket is guided by and movable vertically on said tracks, said track s having spaced recesses therein and said studs being adapted to be passed through said brackets and into said recesses thereby locking said studs to said tracks in a predetermined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 187,777. Sargent Feb. 27, 1877 1,659,519 Dilatush. Feb. 14, 1928 2,036,741 Bessesen Apr. 7, 1936 2,064,222 Roseman Dec. 15, 1936 2,860,352 'Pierre Nov. 18, 1958 

